Kevin Spacey on 'House of Cards' and future in Maryland

The Sun's David Zurawik talks about the effect of lack of legislation to increase film production tax credits on the shows like 'House of Cards,' on WYPR FM's 'Take on Television.'

The Sun's David Zurawik talks about the effect of lack of legislation to increase film production tax credits on the shows like 'House of Cards,' on WYPR FM's 'Take on Television.'

David ZurawikThe Baltimore Sun

In a Sun interview Friday to promote his documentary "NOW: In the Wings on a World Stage," here's how Kevin Spacey responded when asked if "House of Cards" would return to Maryland to film Season 3.

"It's probably best I don't add to the conversation, because whatever I say -- it's just going to get picked up as a headline," Spacey said.

"So, I'm going to bow out and simply say I have every intention of starting shooting when we're supposed to be starting shooting in the state of Maryland."

In February, on the day Netflix announced a renewal for Season 3, Spacey, who is also an executive producer, told me the series was returning to Maryland to film. In addition to building soundstages in Harford County, the production company filmed in various locations including The Baltimore Sun where it rented space.

Since then, as has been widely reported, a strong-arm move by Media Rights Capital, the company that makes the series for Netflix, backfired, with the Maryland legislature approving $3.5 million less in tax credits than the company wanted. MRC has been threatening to leave Maryland since February.

The clock is ticking on MRC to make up its mind about returning or going elsewhere to make Season 3.

Last year, production on Season 2 started April 28 in Maryland.

Stop back later today for my interview with Spacey on his powerful backstage documentary, "NOW: In the Wings on a World Stage," which is about a global tour for a staging of "Richard III" that starred Spacey and was directed by Sam Mendes ("American Beauty").